Interactive coloring toy

ABSTRACT

An interactive toy. The toy includes a housing, a pin supported by the housing and a first coloring sheet having a portion alignable with the pin to facilitate conduction of a signal. A second coloring sheet has a portion alignable with the pin to prevent conduction of the signal. The toy also includes a sensor operable to determine if the signal is conducted and a switch having an actuated condition. A controller is operable to output a first output signal when the signal is conducted and the switch is in the actuated condition, and a second output signal when the signal is not conducted and the switch is in the actuated condition. The first coloring sheet is erasable and reusable. The housing includes a marker stand, an eraser holder and a drawer for storing markers and cover sheets.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S.provisional patent application Serial No. 60/359,852, filed Feb. 27,2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to toys and, more particularly, tointeractive coloring toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Children's toys may provide both entertainment and a learningexperience for children. Interactive toys tend to be more entertainingthan toys that do not interact with the child. These interactive toysenhance the enjoyment of the child and thus facilitate longer play.However, many of these interactive toys fail to educate the child duringplay.

[0004] Children prefer to engage in enjoyable activities. One suchactivity is coloring. In addition to being enjoyable for the child,coloring facilitates the development of gross and fine motor skills andserves to educate the child. An interactive coloring toy that bothentertains and educates the child would be welcomed in the toy industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides an interactive toy including a housing, apin supported by the housing and a first sheet having a portionalignable with the pin to facilitate conduction of a signal. A secondsheet has a portion alignable with the pin to prevent conduction of thesignal. The toy also includes a sensor operable to determine if thesignal is conducted and a switch having an actuated condition. Acontroller is operable to output a first output signal when the signalis conducted and the switch is in the actuated condition and a secondoutput signal when the signal is not conducted and the switch is in theactuated condition.

[0006] Also, in some aspects, the invention provides an interactivecoloring toy including a housing and a first pin electrically connectedto a fixed voltage. The toy also includes a second pin and a sensorelectrically connected to the second pin and operable to detect one ofthe presence and the absence of the fixed voltage. The toy furtherincludes a first coloring sheet having a portion alignable with thefirst pin and the second pin to facilitate electrical connection of thefirst pin to the second pin and a second coloring sheet having a portionalignable with the first pin and the second pin to insulate the firstpin from the second pin. The toy also includes a switch having anactuated condition and a controller operable to output a first outputsignal when the sensor detects the presence of the fixed voltage and theswitch is in the actuated condition and a second output signal when thesensor detects the absence of the fixed voltage and the switch is in theactuated condition.

[0007] In addition, in some aspects, the invention provides aninteractive coloring toy including a housing, a pin, and a conductor. Afirst coloring sheet has a perforation alignable with the pin to allowthe pin to contact the conductor and a second coloring sheet has aportion alignable with the pin to prevent the pin from contacting theconductor. The toy also includes a sensor operable to determine if thepin is in contact with the conductor and a switch having an actuatedcondition. A controller is operable to output a first output signal whenthe sensor determines the pin is in contact with the conductor and theswitch is in the actuated condition and a second output signal when thesensor determines the pin is not in contact with the conductor and theswitch is in the actuated condition.

[0008] Further, in some aspects, the invention provides a method ofselecting an output signal based on a selection of a sheet. The methodincludes the acts of positioning a sheet on a housing such that aportion of the sheet aligns with a pin and determining if the pin isconnected to a constant voltage. The method also includes the acts ofactuating a switch to an actuated position and outputting a first outputsignal when the pin is connected to the constant voltage and the switchis in the actuated condition and a second output signal when the pin isnot connected to the constant voltage and the switch is in the actuatedcondition.

[0009] Generally, in some aspects, the invention provides aninteractive, electronic, talking coloring station for amusing andcreatively stimulating children. The station may include severalcolorable and erasable templates or sheets, each template depictingpictures and characters relating to a different theme. In some aspects,when a particular template is supported or clipped to the station bymeans of a spring-loaded frame, the station recognizes the template. Insome aspects, the station programs each of several laminated, tactilediaphragm switches or buttons to respond, when actuated, with audioinformation which may be related to the theme of the template. Theinformation may be, for example, songs, stories, factual descriptions,sounds of nature, etc.

[0010] The template may be accessible to a user, preferably a child, sothat the child may touch and color the template. The template may alsobe erasable and reusable. Certain symbols on the template may indicatethe location of the buttons. From time to time, as the child colors thetemplate, the child may activate the buttons and receive the audioinformation. Preferably, the audio information will relate to visualimages which the child is coloring while the child receives the audioinformation. The audio information may be, for example, the spoken nameof an animal and a verbal description of the animal and may be deliveredas the child colors a visual image of the animal. As another example,the audio information may be the identity of a letter of the alphabetand/or a song interspersed with alliterative words starting with theletter and may be delivered as the child colors a visual image of theletter or of a character with a name beginning with the letter.

[0011] Independent features and independent advantages will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanyingfigures in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coloring toy embodying thepresent invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coloring toy of FIG. 1 with anopen frame;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the coloring toy ofFIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 6;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coloring toy of FIG. 1partially disassembled;

[0017]FIG. 5 is an enlarged partially exploded view of a switch;

[0018]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a pin region of the coloring toy ofFIG. 1 with a first coloring sheet in place;

[0019]FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a pin region of the coloring toy ofFIG. 1 with a second coloring sheet in place; and

[0020]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a pin region of the coloring toy ofFIG. 1 with a third coloring sheet in place.

[0021] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thefollowing drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is tobe understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Theuse of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereofherein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] A toy, such as an interactive coloring toy 10, is illustrated inFIG. 1. The coloring toy 10 includes a housing 15 formed of plastic oranother suitable material. The housing 15 defines an internal chamber 20(shown in FIG. 4) sized and positioned to contain and protect variouselectrical components. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 15 also supportsa handle member 25 that is positioned near the top of the coloring toy10 and retractable into the housing 15 when not in use. In addition, adrawer 40 with a handle 42 is supported adjacent the bottom of thehousing 15. The drawer 40, which is shown in the closed position in FIG.1, provides storage and is slidably attached to the coloring toy 10. Forexample, erasable coloring sheets 50 and markers 64 may be stored indrawer 40.

[0023] The housing 15 also defines marker stand 35 and eraser holder 38,one on each side of the housing 15. Marker stand 35 includes severalmarker wells 37, which are useful for holding markers 64 in an uprightposition while tray 10 is being used. Marker wells 37 are formed asindentations in cover 36, which is attached by a hinge (not shown) tohousing 15. FIG. 1 shows cover 36 in the closed position. Pivoting cover36 to an open position reveals a chamber (not shown) where markers 64may be stored when not in use. Eraser holder 38 includes a tray 39,which is useful for holding an eraser (not shown) for erasing coloringsheets 50. After they have been erased, coloring sheets 50 may be reusedin a subsequent play session.

[0024] A coloring surface 45 is defined by the housing 15 and occupies alarge portion of the top surface of the coloring toy 10. The coloringsurface 45 is substantially flat and firm to allow for coloring. Thecoloring surface 45 accommodates coloring templates or sheets 50 (shownin FIG. 2 and described in greater detail below) on which the childcolors.

[0025] The housing 15 also defines a registration portion 55 engageablewith the coloring sheet 50 to align the coloring sheet 50 in a propercoloring position. The registration portion 55 may be at least partiallydefined by housing sidewalls 56 (as shown in FIG. 2) that surround thecoloring surface 45.

[0026] In another construction (not shown), the registration portion 55may include a pair of V-shaped ridges placed at opposite corners of thecoloring surface 45 to position the coloring sheet 50. In still anotherconstruction (not shown), single raised portions disposed at orthogonalsides of the coloring surface 45 may position the coloring sheet 50 forcoloring. In yet another construction (not shown), pins may engageregistration holes in the coloring sheet 50 to properly locate thecoloring sheet 50. Many different registration portions 55 are possible,and only a few examples have been described.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, in the illustrated construction and in someaspects, the coloring toy 10 includes a movable member such as a frame60 (shown in the open position). The frame 60 attaches to the housing 15using a hinge joint 65 that allows the frame 60 to pivot between theopen position (shown in FIG. 2) and the closed position (shown in FIG.1). The frame 60 is easily disengageable from the housing 15 to preventdamage to the hinge joint 65 during rough play. In some constructions(not shown), the frame 60 may include the registration portion 55 and toalign and retain the coloring sheet 50 in the proper coloring position.

[0028] In the illustrated construction and in some aspects, the frame 60supports (see FIGS. 2-3 and 6) a conductor 70, such as a metallicportion or strip, to be positionable near one corner of the coloringsurface 45. FIG. 3 shows the corner of the coloring surface 45 insection and better illustrates the conductor 70.

[0029] A series of pins 75 are positioned immediately below theconductor 70. The pins 75 extend above the coloring surface 45 to anelevation that allows the pins 75 to be contactable with the conductor70 when the frame 60 is in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 3). Inthe illustrated construction, the coloring toy 10 includes four pins 75.However, in other constructions (not shown), the coloring toy 10 mayinclude one, two, three or more than four pins 75.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, each pin 75 is biased toward the conductor 70by a biasing member, such as a spring 77. The springs 77 bias the pins75 toward the conductor 70 and allow each pin 75 to deflect whencontacted by the conductor 70 or by the coloring sheet 50 so that theframe 60 is able to close without interference from the pins 75.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a plurality of switches 80 aredisposed within or beneath the coloring surface 45 of the coloring toy10. Each switch 80 is substantially flat to allow the child to colordirectly over the switch 80 if desired. Each switch 80, betterillustrated in FIG. 5, includes a substantially flat first lead 81 and asubstantially flat second lead 82 which are separated from one anotherand supported above a conductor matrix 83. When pressure is applied to aswitch 80, the conductor matrix 83 electrically connects the first lead81 to the second lead 82 to complete a circuit. As is illustrated inFIGS. 1-2 and 4, the coloring toy 10 includes eight switches 80. Inother constructions (not shown), the coloring toy 10 may include feweror more than eight switches 80.

[0032] In FIG. 4, the housing 15 is shown in a disassembled condition toreveal the internal chamber 20. The chamber 20 provides a protected areain which electrical or other sensitive components are supported. Acontroller 85 is supported in the chamber 20. The controller 85 issupported on a circuit board and is operable to produce an output signalin response to signals from the pins 75 and input from the child. Thecontroller 85 may be microprocessor based or another type of controller.A power supply such as a battery (not shown) is also supported in thechamber 20. In other constructions (not shown), the coloring toy 10 mayuse another power supply, such as AC power, through a power cord.

[0033] A speaker 105 is also supported within the internal chamber 20,and the output signals produce an audible sound from the speaker 105.The sounds produced may include, for example, short stories, songs,other sounds, etc., that can be stored in memory provided by thecontroller 85. In another construction (not shown), the output signalsmay produce a different output from the coloring toy 10, such as, forexample, visual outputs (i.e., lights) movement outputs (i.e., movabledevices), to enhance the entertainment and/or educational experience forthe child.

[0034] A flat ribbon wire 110 interconnects the switches 80 with thecontroller 85. As shown in FIG. 4, in the illustrated construction, theribbon wire 110 includes nine conductors 115. One conductor 115A acts asa common conductor and electrically connects to the first lead 81 of allthe switches 80. Each of the other eight conductors 115B attaches to thesecond lead 82 of one switch 80. Thus, when the child actuates a switch80, the lead 115B connects to the common conductor 115A, and the switchactuation signal is sent to the controller 85, indicating which switch80 has been actuated.

[0035] It should be understood that an increase in the number ofswitches 80 will require a corresponding increase in the number ofconductors 115 provided in the ribbon wire 110. For example, a coloringtoy 10 having twelve switches 80 (not shown) will require at leastthirteen conductors 115 to function as described above.

[0036] The pins 75 are also supported within the chamber 20. Each pin 75includes a connection that interconnects the pin 75 and the controller85. In one construction, the pins 75 are connected to a sensor operableto determine the connection status of the pins 75. In anotherconstruction, individual pin signals for each pin 75 are transmitteddirectly to the controller 85 with little or no signal conditioning.

[0037] In the illustrated construction and in some aspects, the firstpin 75A (the leftmost pin in FIG. 3) is connected to a fixed voltagesignal, such as, for example, ground (digital 0) or five volts (digital1), and the remaining pins 75B, C, D are active. With the frame 60closed, the conductor 70 acts to selectively connect the three activepins 75B, C and D to the first pin 75A. Thus, each active pin 75B, C andD that electrically contacts the conductor 70 will send a signal to thecontroller 85 that is substantially equal to the voltage of the firstpin 75A.

[0038] The signals sent by the pins 75 define an array having an arraymagnitude. By using four pins 75, eight different array magnitudes arepossible, and, in the illustrated construction, each additional pin 75will double the number of magnitudes. For example, a five-pin system iscapable of sixteen different array magnitudes.

[0039] Table 1 illustrates the eight array magnitudes with a “1”indicating that the pin 75B C or D is in electrical contact with theconductor 70 and a “0” indicating that the pin 75B, C or D iselectrically isolated from the conductor 70. TABLE 1 Array Magnitude inFour-Pin System Array Magnitude Pin 1, 75A Pin 2, 75B Pin 3, 75C Pin 4,75D 1 0 0/1 0/1 0/1 2 1 0 0 1 3 1 0 1 0 4 1 0 1 1 5 1 1 0 0 6 1 1 0 1 71 1 1 0 8 1 1 1 1

[0040] As can be seen from Table 1, only one array condition is possibleif the first pin 75A is not connected to the conductor 70.

[0041] To isolate individual pins 75 from the conductor 70, a portion ofa coloring sheet 50 is positioned between the pin 75 and the conductor70. As illustrated in Table 1, the pins 75 function to identify which ofthe plurality of coloring sheets 50 is positioned on the coloringsurface 45.

[0042] The coloring sheets 50 are made from an electrically insulativematerial, such as, for example, mylar, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc.,that is also capable of being colored, for example, with erasablemarkers. Each coloring sheet 50 includes an indelible visual image(e.g., a barnyard scene, a forest scene, etc.) and a plurality ofindicator marks 120 (shown in FIG. 1) to indicate the position of eachswitch 80.

[0043] Three different coloring sheets 50 are partially illustrated inFIGS. 6-8. Each coloring sheet 50 also includes a portion 125 thataligns with the pins 75 to indicate to the controller 85 which coloringsheet 75 is present. Perforations 130 in the aligned portion 125 alignwith the pins 75 and allow none, one or more of the pins 75 to at leastpartially protrude therethrough (as illustrated in FIG. 3). Thus, whenthe frame 60 is closed, the conductor 70 connects a predefined number ofpins 75B, C and/or D to the first pin 75A (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3).

[0044] For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a coloring sheet 50A in which thealignable portion 125A includes two perforations 130. The perforations130 align with the first pin 75A and the second pin 75B. Thus, thecoloring sheet 50A will produce an array magnitude corresponding to “5”in Table 1. The array magnitude “5” corresponds to the presence ofcoloring sheet 50A on the coloring surface 45.

[0045] In another example, FIG. 7 illustrates a coloring sheet 50Bincluding an aligned portion 125B having three perforations 130. Theperforations 130 align with the first pin 75A, the third pin 75C and thefourth pin 75D, thus producing an array magnitude corresponding to “4”in Table 1 and indicating the presence of coloring sheet 50B on thecoloring surface 45. In another example, FIG. 8 illustrates a coloringsheet 50C in which the alignable portion 125C includes no perforations130. Such an arrangement, in which the first pin 75A is insulated, willresult in an array that corresponds to “1” in Table 1 and that indicatesthe presence of coloring sheet 50C.

[0046] In another construction (not shown), rather than perforations130, the coloring sheet 50 may include small conductor portions withinthe alignable portion 125. Such small conductor portions are alignablewith the desired pins 75 to make connections that indicate whichcoloring sheet 50 is present. In yet another construction (not shown),the entire coloring sheet may be conductive, and the alignable portion125 may include small insulator portions to insulate particular pins 75from the conductor to indicate which coloring sheet 50 is present. Instill another construction (not shown), the first pin 75 may also be anactive pin, thus increasing the number of coloring sheets 50identifiable with only four pins 75 to sixteen. In such a construction,the conductor 70 is connected to the fixed voltage directly, thuseliminating the need for a pin 75A to perform the function of connectingthe fixed voltage to the conductor 70.

[0047] In another construction (not shown), each pin 75 may be connectedto a pin switch having an actuated condition and a nonactuatedcondition. The coloring sheet 50 and/or the frame 60 may cooperate toengage the pins 75 and to actuate the pin switches. In such aconstruction, each pin switch is connected to the sensor or to thecontroller 85 to provide a pin signal representing the condition of thepin switch and of the associated pin 75 to identify which coloring sheet50 is present.

[0048] In operation, the user opens the frame 60 and places one of theplurality of coloring sheets 50 onto the coloring surface 45. The usermust align the alignable portion 125 of the coloring sheet 50 with thepins 75 to assure proper operation. In the illustrated construction, theregistration portion 55 serves to properly align the coloring sheet 50so that the alignable portion 125 aligns with the pins 75.

[0049] The sensor, if provided, detects the signals from the pins 75 andsends a signal to the controller 85 representing the pin signals andcorresponding to the coloring sheet 50 in position on the coloringsurface. In another construction, the controller 85 receives the pinsignals directly and, with the pin signals, determines which coloringsheet 50 is present.

[0050] During coloring, the user is able to push any of the switches 80(intentionally or unintentionally during the act of coloring) to receivefeedback. The feedback may be audio feedback, in the form of songs,stories, etc., or visual feedback, such as lights and movement.

[0051] The specific feedback produced when a switch 80 is actuated is afunction of which coloring sheet 50 is in place, and which switch 80 isactuated. For example, one coloring sheet 50 may include a farm scene.Each switch 80, when actuated, may cause the controller 85 to play thesound of a different farm animal. Another coloring sheet 50 may includea city scene, and each switch 80, when actuated, may cause thecontroller 85 to play sounds common in the city. Thus, the individualswitches 80 will cause the controller to output more than one differentoutput (based on the selected coloring sheet 50) and, in the illustratedconstruction, facilitate the playing of sounds that generally correspondto the image on the coloring sheet 50 that is present on the coloringsurface 45.

[0052] To aid the child in locating the switches 80, each coloring sheet50 includes the indicators 120 that guide the child to the location ofeach switch 80. The indicators 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 include circlesplaced around the location of the switch 80. Other indicators 120 (notshown) may include, for example, arrows, differently and/or brightlycolored portions, transparent regions that allow the child to see theswitch 80, etc.

[0053] Although the invention has been described in detail withreference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modificationsexist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described anddefined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interactive toy comprising: a housing; a pinsupported by the housing; a first sheet having a portion alignable withthe pin to facilitate conduction of a signal; a second sheet having aportion alignable with the pin to prevent conduction of the signal; asensor operable to determine if the signal is conducted; a switch havingan actuated condition; and a controller operable to output a firstoutput signal when the signal is conducted and the switch is in theactuated condition and a second output signal when the signal is notconducted and the switch is in the actuated condition.
 2. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the first sheet is a first coloring sheet.
 3. The toyof claim 2, further comprising a coloring surface at least partiallysurrounded by the housing, the first coloring sheet and the second sheetbeing selectively supported on the coloring surface.
 4. The toy of claim3, wherein the switch is located beneath the coloring surface.
 5. Thetoy of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a registration aid operableto selectively position and align the portion of one of the first sheetand the second sheet with the pin.
 6. The toy of claim 1, furthercomprising a movable member having a conductor and movable between anopen position and a closed position, wherein, when the movable member isin the closed position, the conductor is electrically connectable withthe pin to conduct the signal.
 7. The toy of claim 6, further comprisinga coloring surface at least partially surrounded by the housing, thefirst sheet and the second sheet being selectively supported on thecoloring surface, and wherein the movable member includes a coloringhousing that surrounds the coloring surface.
 8. The toy of claim 1,further comprising a second pin selectively electrically connectable tothe first-mentioned pin such that, when the second pin is electricallyconnected to the first-mentioned pin, the sensor detects the signal and,when the second pin is not electrically connected to the first-mentionedpin, the sensor does not detect the signal.
 9. The toy of claim 8,wherein, when the signal is detected, the controller outputs the firstoutput signal upon actuation of the switch and, when the signal is notdetected, the controller outputs the second output signal upon actuationof the switch.
 10. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofsecond pins, each of the plurality of second pins being selectivelyelectrically connectable with the first-mentioned pin, at least one ofthe plurality of second pins electrically connected to thefirst-mentioned pin conducting a first magnitude pin signal, remainingones of the plurality of second pins not electrically connected to thefirst-mentioned pin conducting a second magnitude pin signal.
 11. Thetoy of claim 10, wherein the pin signals define an array, wherein themagnitude of the pin signals define an array condition, and wherein thecontroller outputs one of a plurality of output signals based on thearray condition.
 12. The toy of claim 1, wherein each sheet includes anindicator positioned to show the location of the switch.
 13. The toy ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of switches, each of theplurality of switches being operable to initiate output of a pluralityof output signals by the controller.
 14. The toy of claim 1, wherein theportion of the first sheet includes a perforation through which the pinat least partially protrudes.
 15. The toy of claim 1, wherein theportion of the second sheet is not perforated.
 16. The toy of claim 2,further comprising a storage drawer, the storage drawer being slidablyattached to the hosing for storing the first coloring sheet.
 17. The toyof claim 2, further comprising a marker stand that is mounted on thehousing for holding markers, which can be used color the first coloringsheet.
 18. The toy of claim 2, further comprising an eraser holder thatis mounted on the frame.
 19. An interactive coloring toy comprising: ahousing; a first pin electrically connected to a fixed voltage; a secondpin; a sensor electrically connected to the second pin and operable todetect one of the presence and the absence of the fixed voltage; a firstcoloring sheet having a portion alignable with the first pin and thesecond pin to facilitate electrical connection of the first pin to thesecond pin; a second coloring sheet having a portion alignable with thefirst pin and the second pin to insulate the first pin from the secondpin; a switch having an actuated condition; and a controller operable tooutput a first output signal when the sensor detects the presence of thefixed voltage and the switch is in the actuated condition and a secondoutput signal when the sensor detects the absence of the fixed voltageand the switch is in the actuated condition.
 20. The toy of claim 19,wherein the housing defines a registration aid operable to position andalign the portion of one of the first coloring sheet and the secondcoloring sheet with the first pin and the second pin.
 21. The toy ofclaim 19, further comprising a movable member having a conductor andmovable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, whenthe movable member is in the closed position, the conductor iselectrically connectable with the first pin and the second pin.
 22. Thetoy of claim 19, wherein, when the second pin is connected to the fixedvoltage, the controller outputs the first output signal upon actuationof the switch and, when the second pin is not connected to the fixedvoltage, the controller outputs the second output signal upon actuationof the switch.
 23. The toy of claim 19, further comprising a pluralityof second pins, each of the plurality of second pins being selectivelyelectrically connectable with the first pin, at least one of theplurality of second pins electrically connected to the first pinconducting a first magnitude pin signal, remaining ones of the pluralityof second pins not electrically connected to the first pin conducting asecond magnitude pin signal.
 24. The toy of claim 23, wherein the pinsignals define an array, wherein the magnitude of the pin signals definean array condition, and wherein the controller outputs one of aplurality of output signals based on the array condition.
 25. The toy ofclaim 19, further comprising a coloring surface at least partiallysurrounded by the housing, and wherein the switch is located beneath thecoloring surface.
 26. The toy of claim 19, wherein each coloring sheetincludes an indicator positioned to show the location of the switch. 27.The toy of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of switches, each ofthe plurality of switches being operable to initiate output of aplurality of output signals by the controller.
 28. The toy of claim 19,wherein the portion of the first coloring sheet includes a firstperforation through which the first pin at least partially protrudes anda second perforation through which the second pin at least partiallyprotrudes.
 29. The toy of claim 28, wherein the portion of the secondcoloring sheet does not includes at least one of the first perforationand the second perforation.
 30. An interactive coloring toy comprising:a housing; a pin; a conductor; a first coloring sheet defining aperforation alignable with the pin to allow the pin to contact theconductor; a second coloring sheet having a portion alignable with thepin to prevent the pin from contacting the conductor; a sensor operableto determine if the pin is in contact with the conductor; a switchhaving an actuated condition; and a controller operable to output afirst output signal when the sensor determines the pin is in contactwith the conductor and the switch is in the actuated condition and asecond output signal when the sensor determines the pin is not incontact with the conductor and the switch is in the actuated condition.31. The toy of claim 30, wherein the housing defines a registration aidoperable to selectively position and align the portion of one of thefirst coloring sheet and the second coloring sheet with the pin.
 32. Thetoy of claim 30, further comprising a movable member movable between anopen position and a closed position, wherein, when the movable member isin the closed position, the conductor is electrically connectable withthe pin.
 33. The toy of claim 30, further comprising a second pinselectively electrically connectable to the first-mentioned pin suchthat, when the second pin is electrically connected to thefirst-mentioned pin, the sensor detects a signal having a firstmagnitude and, when the second pin is not electrically connected to thefirst-mentioned pin, the sensor detects a signal having a secondmagnitude.
 34. The toy of claim 33, wherein, when the signal has a firstmagnitude, the controller outputs the first output signal upon actuationof the switch and, when the signal has a second magnitude, thecontroller outputs the second signal upon actuation of the switch. 35.The toy of claim 27, further comprising a plurality of second pins, eachof the plurality of second pins being selectively electricallyconnectable with the first-mentioned pin, at least one of the pluralityof second pins electrically connected to the first-mentioned pinconducting a first magnitude pin signal, remaining ones of the pluralityof second pins not electrically connected to the first-mentioned pinconducting a second magnitude pin signal.
 36. The toy of claim 32,wherein the pin signals define an array, wherein the magnitude of thepin signals define an array condition, and wherein the controlleroutputs one of a plurality of output signals based on the arraycondition.
 37. The toy of claim 30, further comprising a coloringsurface at least partially surrounded by the housing, and wherein theswitch is located beneath the coloring surface.
 38. The toy of claim 30,wherein each coloring sheet includes an indicator positioned to show thelocation of the switch.
 39. The toy of claim 30, further comprising aplurality of switches, each of the plurality of switches being operableto initiate output of a plurality of output signals by the controller.40. A method of selecting an output signal based on a selection of asheet, the method comprising the acts of: positioning a sheet on ahousing such that a portion of the sheet aligns with a pin; determiningif the pin is connected to a constant voltage; actuating a switch to anactuated position; outputting a first output signal when the pin isconnected to the constant voltage and the switch is in the actuatedcondition and a second output signal when the pin is not connected tothe constant voltage and the switch is in the actuated condition. 41.The method of claim 40, wherein the sheet is a coloring sheet, andwherein the method further comprises the act of coloring on the coloringsheet.
 42. The method of claim 40, further comprising the act ofaligning the sheet with a registration aid to position the sheet on thehousing.
 43. The method of claim 40, further comprising the act ofaligning a perforation defined by the portion of the sheet with the pinsuch that the pin protrudes through the perforation and is connected tothe constant voltage.
 44. The method of claim 40, further comprising,before the determining act, the act of connecting the pin to theconstant voltage, and wherein the outputting act includes the act ofoutputting the first output signal when the switch is actuated.
 45. Themethod of claim 40, further comprising the act of moving a movablemember supporting a conductor to a position in which the conductor iselectrically connectable with the pin.